This is one of the reasons I went 'private' despite the added out-of-pocket expenses. I was also determined to have my own room and not share with men !!!
My surgeon was happy to go either way but did explain to me that as the public hospital is a training hospital I may be operated on by a student on the day, under his supervision. As he is then employed by the hospital he has no say in this.
I was confident with him but not a student - I have worked too hard to pay private cover to take any added risks ! So, whilst I could have gone 'private' in a 'public' hospital I elected to go to a private hospital.
I think your surgeon should have explained that to you. You have had your say, which is important, but you will get a basic letter in return, probably telling you it is a training hospital.
I do feel it would be best for you to let go of the complaints as you will never win (I have found that the medicos all stick together - when a nursing home dropped my Mother through negligence and she died they all stuck by each other). .
Please don't waste your precious time being angry and revengeful. Get on with the physio etc and do the best you can. We all end up with some numbness at the surgery site - I cannot even feel my partner rubbing massage oil across my mastectomy site. I ignore my numb arm - it still works - and I work it hard to keep blood and fluids moving along !!
Good luck with it all and do keep in touch. I will be interested to hear the response from the hospital.
Be patient. You will get there.
Summer :-)
Thank you for your advice and yes ,I should stop dwelling on it and spend my precious time being more productive.I had my follow up with the surgeon,He was quite dismissive in regards to my my ongoing arm issues.He became quite defensive when I told him my Onco had let me read his email.He did confirm that there were never any suspect nodes and that my Sentinal Biopsy went horribly wrong.(Just my Luck).His words,Unfortunately a lump of tissue containing 11 Nodes was removed instead of just the Sentinal node I have accessed my medical records and was surprised /upset when I read them..My surgery was done at a major training hospital (as a Public Patient),t appears that my surgeon performed the Lumpectomy and he assisted a student registrar to do the sentinal node removal .I was not imformed that this could be an option and have lodged a complaint with the Hospital.Had I known I would have opted to have surgery as a private patient..The result being a lot of under arm pain ,tenderness and a numb feeling from shoulder to elbow.My surgeon said that the pain would eventually resolve but the numbness will always be an issue..I have finnally accecpted that I cant change the outcome,and need to let my anger go,,I have started physio and hopefully it will improve,Thank You for your advice and kind words.
Hello
It sounds as if you have had a distressing time with it all. I am so sorry to read your story.
The statement "no node involvement" meant that there was no cancer there. The BEST news.
Your surgeon may have told you everything at the time but as we are so stressed and upset about the whole thing you may not have taken the information in.
It is my understanding that if there is any doubt they take the suspect nodes during surgery so you don't have to go in for further surgery. They cannot be sure until the nodes and lumps etc are examined by the pathologists.
Many of us have had experiences which seem unfair but do you really think the stress of legal action would help you ? Bear that in mind. What do you think would be gained by taking action ? Maybe you would end up being well out of pocket as well as it taking up a lot of your precious time.
Wait until tomorrow. Ask questions. Good luck.
Summer
Hi,
Had biopsy done 2 months ago,Went in for Sentinal Biopsy only.Nuclear Medicine had no problem identifing the Sentinal Node.I have been in so much pain for 2 months Surgeon said it would improve ,No Node involvement.I felt he thought I just had a low pain threshold.NOT. Checkup with Onco last week after finished radiation noticed an email on his computer screen from the surgeon."It stated "Unfortunately due to residual dye 11 Nodes were removed" I was shocked, no wonder I have had so much arm Pain.I have an appointment with the surgeon tomorrow to discuss this, I am very upset that I was not made aware of this.Totally explains my 24/7 Arm discomfort,Pain.This incident has caused me soo much distress,More than the lumpectomy,and radiation,especially as no involvment was found. Has this happened to anyone else,I know I cant change the outcome ,but hey why did this happen? Do I just accept this ,Im considering seeking legal Advice, Any opinions ??
Hi
I also had sentinal node biopsy last thursday - I went to nuclear medicine for the "mapping" the morning of the operation where the tumour was removed and they ended up taking 5 nodes for testing. I did not have a drain put in thankfully so can't really help you with that. Find 2 piece outfits easier for examinations anyway. And yes I got a pillow for between the breast and my arm and also a bag for a drain given to me on discharge from hospital. Lovely of those to donate these things to those of us who need them. Marg x
There is a fairly good description of what happens with the sentinel node biopsy on this site and in the My Journey Kit info if you have this.
My experience was the day before surgery I went and had some radioactive solution injected into the area where my tumor was. They then pinpointed the most likely first node that this area drained to by scanning and marked this on my skin for the surgeon to see the next day. The blue dye was injected while I was having my surgery. I had a blue mark on my skin for a long time afterwards, but it has gone now (10 months later).
While you have the drain in I just wore loose singlet tops under shirts that buttoned up at the front. They gave me a bag which the tubing and drain bottle could be placed in and then you just put the bag strap over your shoulder when you are walking around. You really need to wear two piece clothing so the drain can come out at the bottom of your shirt and then be carried in the little bag. Someone makes these bags and donated them to the hospital where I had my surgery. I think this is very common. You can just use a shopping bag if you wish. Hope this helps. Hope your procedure goes well. Deanne xxx
